Apple 'preparing giant launch for giant iPhone'

Report says Apple has put in massive orders for bigscreen iPhone in effort to regain market share fromSamsung:Apple has placed record orders with its manufacturing partners in the Far East in preparation for the autumn launch of a bigger iPhone, it is claimed.Suppliers have been asked to make between 70 million and 80 million devices by the end of December, according to the Wall Street Journal.Apple typically announces new iPhones in September and initial orders of the 5S and 5C last year were for between 50 and 60 million units.There will be two new iPhone models, sources said, both with larger screens than the four-inch devicescurrently available. One will feature a 4.7 in screen and the other a 'phablet'-sized 5.5-inch screen, according to the report.Apple has been criticised as slow to respond to demand for larger screens in the smartphone market. The iPhone 4S and earlier models had only a 3.5-inch screen. It was lenggthened but not widened for the iPhone 5.Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, said last year: "[The 4-inch iPhone 5 screen] also provides a larger screen without sacrificing one-handed use. We put alot of thought into screen sizes and we think we picked the right one."In contrast, its arch-rival Samsung offers an array of size options, including the 6.3-inch Galaxy Mega. The Korean giant yesterday attacked Apple in an advertisment claiming iPhone owners have "screen envy".Apple is due to report third quarter results resultslater on Tuesday.